Grandpa Stephenson

You may know that Mark's dad has been very ill. He died at about 2:40 a.m. today. We are happy and envious in a way, and sad and glad and feeling different feelings all at once. Mostly we are happy for him and the fact that he lived his life well. We've always looked up to Grandpa Stephenson; he was that kind of person. He was a hard worker and he expected a lot of himself. He was a gentleman. He taught us high standards. He blessed so many people's lives. I wish I could have seen him one last time. At least I don't have too long to wait before I will see him, as Mark so helpfully pointed out. :/ And that makes me think of how I don't want to be away from any of you, either. We belong together, and that makes loving each other and helping each other and appreciating each other, and this life, so worth it. Let's totally drink each other in, while we have the chance! I love you! xoxoxo

Computer Fix

Hi! We just got a different computer for me because the old one had a bunch of the capacitors blow out on the motherboard (whatever that means). I hope that's the reason why I'd had trouble posting! Anyway, to catch you up, things have been normal and pretty quiet, except that I've had a bunch of visits from various grandkids, by themselves! That is so fun, and it helps me get closer to them. The big news is that Linda and Ben got their new baby girl! She is so cute and feminine-looking. They named her Bethany Annette, and she is doing well. She weighed 6 lbs. 11 ounces at birth. Woohoo! What a blessing! We went to see War Horse last weekend and we liked it. Mostly, it gives you a sense of WWI fighting in Europe, and that was what has remained with me. And that's basically everything! How are you? We love you! xoxoxo

More December Pictures

Irelyn's smile

Mark and Seth at our Christmas Eve gathering

Mary is such a devoted mother

Costume-Flaunting ; )

Mighty King Herod

A fallen angel? (courtesy of Wise Guy Josh)

My Aide/Friend, Misty, with her little daughter, Drew

Gables decorations

One of Gables' aides, Jessica, with her darling daughter

Our Christmas tree, the little lavender plant on the left I loved these lights that Mark put up

A Christmas bunny!

A relaxed-looking Ben

Wound-up looking kids!

Tristan holds a colorful Christmas balloon

Leto next to our little "fireplace"

Emme finds that feeding Leto is fascinating!

Tamathy's handmade dolls perch over the fairy-house she made

Alaina riding "Buttercup" While Tut perches on his new go-to spot

Tut pats Mark's arm like this every night Reminding him to play Isn't this cute?

And we end with another classic Emme expression As she rides Butterscotch, Buttercup's mom According to Alaina I think Emme looks pleased, but like she's trying to keep that under wraps I hope you enjoyed these December pictures We love you! xoxoxo

Mixed-Up Pictures

Another Post

Hi! I spent today editing photos to post. Hope it works! I'll split them into themes. I also got my Privelege Cologne and it is so wonderful to have it! I love it! And then, tonight, I had my hair done by Melissa, the lady that used to work at Salon 720 and now is at Liquid Hair. She is such a good hair dresser! I feel like a million bucks after she's through. And I go without other things I need, twice a year, to be able to go get my hair done (really natural looking hilights and a hair trim). She said I could come and get my bangs done in between, and that would really help me to maintain the look. Yay! Mark and I watched the Keira Knightly version of Pride and Prejudice this week. Mark is learning to like some of the British productions on tv, and we want to watch the BBC version, with Colin Firth. I've seen it, and much prefer it, as I recall. I'm anxious for Mark to see it with me! We'd also like to go see War Horse someday. : ) I switched to the other side of the bed and it really helps my right hip and knee not hurt. That is such a blessing, 'cause then I can sleep much better! Mark wanted to change the bed to the other wall, but we're waiting for now, because I don't want our bed to be the thing you see when you come in the door. I think it would feel all wrong, but if this doesn't work out, I'm willing to try it the other way. They got a new maintenance guy here, and I think it helps Mark a bunch. He seems more relaxed. Our book club book is The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood. I picked it out, and we'll meet in the Activities Room across the hall from our apt., since it's got comfy couches and is not in use at night. Convenient, huh? I play a game called horseshow.com. It's all just info. and pictures/drawings of your horses. They don't move or anything, but you can breed and raise foals and see their statistics and how they do in shows if you enter them. Then there are rankings and so on, based on their talents and characteristics. It's really fun! Also, Happy Birthday, Aidan! I hope you have a great day. Grandma and Grandpa love you! Thanks for reading! xoxoxo PS There is another new post that I wrote and posted yesterday - be sure and check it out!

Ahhh...

I finally got some sleep last night! I've been sleepwalking the past few weeks, not able to sleep, yet falling asleep and talking gibberish all the time, in all kinds of situations. So embarrassing! I apologize; I don't know exactly why that's been happening, except that I was putting my new c-pap mask on upside down and it was leaking air all over the place. Duh! So, we had a nice, peaceful New Year's Eve and Day. The LDS version is much more toned down than most others, and t Ihis was no exception. I've been to some great parties at the church, but not in recent years. Last year in Las Vegas they had a dinner and a singer (you can see pictures of Mark dancing in my January 2011 blog), but it ended early, because of it being Assisted Living. I'm fine with quiet, though, and just resting after Christmas. : ) Did I tell you about our Christmas? I'll have to check. Hold on... Wow, I haven't even posted about it! We went over to Melinda's on Christmas Eve for a family gathering with hors d'oeuvres that everyone brought. We had fresh salsa and chips, small sirloins wrapped in bacon, ham roll-ups, clam dip and chips, little eclairs, meatballs, little smokies, vegetables and dip, black olives, and a dessert that Haley and Dallin brought (sorry, but I can't remember what) (Mark and I brought the little eclairs). We didn't even sit down to exchange gifts, but just gave ours out informally. I loved doing it that way, because then they weren't the center of the evening. Linda brought some costumes and the kids did a nativity scene while Danny read a Christmas Story book (I could swear I've already written this - maybe in a comment? Oh well!) It was so funny because the angel (Hunter) got pushed over by the wise man (Josh). Also, Alaina was such a devoted Mary, and Tristan (Joseph) so devoted to her. (I can't get the italics to turn off. Another "oh well!") We sang Christmas carols then, and it felt so peaceful. I really enjoyed the evening. Thanks, Danny and Melinda! We dropped Seth off where he lives and picked him up the next a.m., after Mark and I had opened our own presents. Mark got me more than I gave him, as usual, but we had already gifted each other our little "wood stove" heater and an Alice game. Mark found the maker of Privelege perfume and ordered it for me online - I can't wait to get it! Mark also got us stockings (wasn't that sweet?) and Color Wonder metallics, Candyland, and Rummikube. Cool, huh? I got Mark some dvds and a funny sign that says "We hope our ship comes in before the dock rots!" Mark had us cross out the k on dock, and now it's really funny, and personalized, too! He also got a tie from Megan and Brooks that he likes a bunch. Yay, 'cause he needed a new tie. :) I rec'd. a beautiful scarf from Melinda and Haley and we got a cool wide wooden spoon and chocolate cinnamon bears from Ben and Linda. I got a Vintage Pearl-type necklace from Megan and Brooks, with the imprint "Wonderland." As if that weren't enough, Megan nominated me to win a real Vintage Pearl necklace and I won! They inscribed it "Mark and Diane," which I love, and they even wrapped it with an extra pearl tied in the bow! We also rec'd. a bunch of candy from people who a vendors to Gables, especially the hospice people. Everyone just generally exchanged candy back and forth. Fun! I know I'm forgetting things, but may edit this later. In the meantime, Seth seemed happy with his presents, including clothes from Danny and Melinda and Haley and Dallin. We gave him a gift card and the pictured tee with Leto on front, plus a hardback set of Fablehaven books and an original Redwall book. I can't remember everything, but I just know we all went to church and heard the choir's wonderful program, then came home and relaxed with Seth, playing some games and watching Red, one of Mark's new DVDs (the other was Inception, and Bride Wars for me). Finally, Mark drove Seth home and we went to bed, still in our nightcaps and gowns, hahaha. What was most remarkable was that we had everything wrapped by Christmas Eve afternoon, which is a first for me. What a relief! It really made Christmas so much better. I hope you had a merry Christmas, too. Thank you all! xoxoxo (pictures posted separately)